Almond Milk and Skin Acne

Almond milk has gained a lot of popularity over the years and it’s not just because of it’s refreshing taste. While a lot of people first opted for this milk alternative due to the fact that it contained no lactose, many soon followed the new trend when it came out that almond milk actually offered numerous health benefits. It’s nutrient-dense, has no cholesterol and saturated fats, and low on calories. It can help you keep your heart and bones healthy as well as keep you from gaining weight. Best of all, unlike dairy milk, almond milk is good for your skin.

Milk and Acne

Now, you might question how something that’s supposed to be good for your body cause something bad. Based on numerous studies over the years, it was discovered that dairy milk contains a growth hormone, IGF-1, that causes your acne to swell and become even redder. In addition, dairy milk has been found to cause an increase of insulin in your body which then leads to the liver producing even more IGF-1, resulting to even more acne. Other studies have shown that dairy induces your body to produce more sebum (commonly known as oil) which clogs your pores and causes more acne to show. What all of these findings boil down to is this: dairy milk and acne go hand-in-hand.

But what about the necessary nutrients that you need from milk? These same nutrients are especially essential to growing adolescents. Fortunately, there are some milk alternatives that don’t seem to have the same effect, at least not for most people. Some people are allergic to soy or coconut so milk alternatives from those two are definitely not going to be an option since it will simply result in the same thing. What about almond milk? How well does almond milk and skin go together? Let’s find out!

Almond Milk and Skin

First of all, there is already research that suggests how using almond milk as an alternative to dairy milk can help lessen acne breakouts in individuals who are prone to that particular skin affliction. That certainly is already a plus in anyone’s book. What else can almond milk do for your skin?

Though this milk alternative doesn’t really cure acne, it can certainly boost your overall skin health and provide protection against damage to your skin. How? Almond milk contains a lot of nutrients that help nourish your skin including vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that helps protect your skin from damage caused by exposure to the sun and pollutants. More importantly, vitamin E may actually play an important role in lessening the amount of acne you have. In 2006, a study was published in the “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” journal. This study found that individuals with acne had significantly lower levels of vitamin E than those in the control group. In the same study, it was discovered that administering vitamin A and E to individuals with acne improved their skin’s condition.

Another thing that proves almond milk and skin go well together is the fact that it helps reduce how much oil gets trapped in your pores and clogs it thereby causing acne to grow. Almond milk contains essential fatty acids that aid in controlling how much oil is produced by your sebaceous glands. This means that the lesser oil your sebaceous glands produce, the lesser amount there is to be trapped in your pores.

But what about all those rumors you’ve heard about almond milk causing acne? Is there any truth in them? Well, the answer to that is yes and no. Almond milk is great for your skin. But there are conditions. First, some people have nut allergies and almond milk, as you know, comes from almonds which are nuts. Some allergic reactions do result in your skin breaking out. Second, some brands of almond milk contain added sugar and vegetable oil (i.e. sunflower oil, canola oil, soybean oil), both of which can affect your hormones and negatively affect your acne. Certain kinds of vegetable oils have high levels of omega-6 fats which are proinflammatory; easily causing your acne to swell and redden more, making your condition worse. So what kind of almond milk is good for you, especially if you are acne-prone? Homemade, unsweetened almond milk. By making your own, you ensure that there are no vegetable oils, loads of sugar, or any preservatives and additives that just aren’t good for you. And even in its unsweetened state, almond milk has a refreshing flavor that dairy milk just can’t compete with.

So, is almond milk good for your skin? Yes, it is. Just make sure that you’re drinking unsweetened almond milk made in your kitchen.